As of June 10-12, 2014, the federal court in D.C. updated certain rules, which affect both (1) pro hac vice admission, and (2) admission, generally:

The first rule imposes a $100 fee on pro hac vice admission, which brings the practice in federal court in line with the pro hac vice fees required in D.C. Superior Court.  The full rule change can be found here.

The second rule change affects the eligibility for general (non-pro hac) admission to the Court.  First, in-house counsel who practice outside the state of their admission are eligible to join the court.  Second — and perhaps more significantly — the rule change eliminates the requirement that non-D.C. lawyers be admitted to a federal court with a reciprocal admission policy. The full rule change can be found here.

While many more foreign attorneys are now eligible for direct admission to the D.C. bar, and are not restricted to pro hac vice admission, local counsel may be preferable for lawyers with few cases in D.C., due to the long gap in time between application and admission, special swearing-in required, and deep expertise of regular practitioners in the local rules, practices, quirks, and bar.  Contact Ryan Posey (202-643-2525) or Jake Lebowitz (202-524-0123) to discuss your case.